According to the Writers Guild Committee of Black Writers, 43% of Black writers are not currently represented by agents, attorneys or managers. Diverse Representation is partnering with Team Awesome, a data-driven collective of Black WGA writers, to present a panel series on representation. The aim of the panel series is to give Black writers, showrunners, script coordinators, writers assistants, and writers' PA's an opportunity to meet and hear directly from Black agents, managers and attorneys.
Join us on January 11th in Los Angeles for our first panel featuring Black talent managers, business managers, financial advisors and portfolio managers. Panelists will discuss what they look for in clients and best practices for securing representation.
Breakfast provided
SPACE IS LIMITED
Jermaine Johnson is a manager and producer at the Beverly Hills-based 3 Arts Entertainment. Originally from New Jersey, he graduated from Rutgers and has spent the last ten years building an impressive client roster in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
Jermaine represents a wide variety of writers, directors, journalists, and comedians from many different backgrounds. Amongst these clients are Aaron Covington (co-writer of CREED), Attica Locke (award-winning author of BLUEBIRD, BLUEBIRD), Azie Dungey (UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT, SWEETBITTER, TWENTIES), Cord Jefferson (SUCCESSION, THE GOOD PLACE, MASTER OF NONE), Fatimah Asghar (BROWN GIRLS, IF THEY COME FOR US), Eve Ewing (IRONHEART, ELECTRIC ARCHES), JUSTIN HILLIAN (THE CHI), JIA TOLENTINO (TRICK MIRROR) and more. He prides himself on finding fresh voices in places where others don’t often look, and giving them a platform to share their unique points of view and opinions.
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Malcolm is currently the showrunner and EP of Marvel's upcoming series FALCON/WINTER SOLDIER for Disney+. Malcolm worked the first 3 seasons on the hit show EMPIRE, where he left as a Co-EP, and is an EP for Apple TV's TRUTH BE TOLD starring Octavia Spencer. He is currently filming the docuseries, HIP HOP UNTOLD, for FX.
Belva is the founder of Abacus Financial. Abacus Financial provides client driven results to improve lives by serving as personal and business managers for creatives. Abacus provides broad based accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, investment and insurance advisement, as well as income tax preparation for individuals and businesses; big and small.
Jeff has more than 20 years in the financial services industry. Today, Jeff provides the investment insights
of Merrill and access to the banking convenience of Bank of America to help entertainment industry professionals pursue their wealth management goals, whether these are professional, personal or a combination of both.
Ben Watkins is a writer/filmmaker/actor from Berkeley, CA. Ben's writing career began with his award-winning short film QUEST TO REF, which he wrote, co-directed and starred in. Soon after, Ben joined USA Network's BURN NOTICE. He rose from Staff Writer to EP, before moving on to create the Amazon Originals series, HAND OF GOD. Most recently he executive produced TRUTH BE TOLD on Apple's new streaming service.
Diverse Representation is a new company focused on increasing the number and exposure of Black agents, attorneys, managers and publicists working in the entertainment industry. We provide the first ever comprehensive directory of Black agents, attorneys, managers and publicists as well as host various events throughout the country. Our ultimate aim is to ensure more Black writers, producers, directors and talent have Black representation.
For more information: www.diverserepresentation.com
Team Awesome is a data-driven collective of black WGA writers who aim to have our fair share of the entertainment industry. We promote and advocate for inclusion and equity in terms of wealth, our narratives and decision-making power. We started as a subcommittee of the Committee of Black Writers and have blossomed into our own organization. Our mission is to ensure that black entertainment professionals, including writers, directors, editors and the like have parity in the market that's on par with our population in the United States through: career mentorship, showrunner accountability, networking, equal and fair representation, writer training and education.